A couple weeks ago, Lions GM Brad Holmes acknowledged he'd be facing "some tough decisions" at the end of camp -- "and that's a good problem to have." Detroit's roster has progressed to the point that the club was forced to cut some quality players before Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline.
Like undrafted rookie receiver Dylan Drummond, who almost surely would have made the team in year one under Holmes and Dan Campbell when the Lions were scrambling for pass catchers. Drummond impressed throughout camp and had a strong showing in last week's preseason finale against the Panthers, but was waived Monday as the Lions went with seventh-round pick Antoine Green as their fifth receiver instead. Green had a 70-yard touchdown against the Panthers.
Like undrafted rookie corner Starling Thomas V, who not only would have made the team in year two under Holmes and Campbell, but might have pushed for a starting job in the Lions' lacking secondary. Thomas made play after play this summer and flashed as a kick returner, but was waived Tuesday in favor of fellow undrafted rookie corner Steven Gilmore, who sealed the win over the Panthers with a pick-six.
Like second-year corner Chase Lucas, who flashed on special teams last season and showed some ball skills this summer. Lucas, a seventh-round pick in 2022, was waived Monday, a few days after picking off a potential touchdown pass against the Panthers.
Related
"It’s no secret," Campbell said Monday. "We’re better off than we were a few years ago. Our roster’s much better.”
The final round of cuts on Tuesday included receiver Maurice Alexander, who was waived despite popping as a return man in the preseason; receiver Chase Cota, another preseason standout who was waived with an injury settlement; and running backs Craig Reynolds, Benny Snell, both of whom were outright released, and Jermar Jefferson, who was waived with an injury designation.
That leaves the Lions with just two running backs on the roster in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, signaling a likely addition in the near future.
Overall, it's the best roster the Lions have had in several years, a sure sign of progress under Holmes and Campbell. The full roster can be viewed here.
"I do feel like we are more talented," Campbell said. "And it's not just more talented, but the players that we’re letting go, man, just the way they’re made up, any team would love to have them. The way they work, they’re smart, they’re pretty instinctive guys and they’ve produced. They’ve got good tape. So, we are, we’re far better off."
Listen live to 97.1 The Ticket via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker